Disclaimer: I do not own Hot Gimmick or Hot Gimmick S

Author's Notes: Oh, chapter three, how I've looked so forward to writing you. In fact, I started writing this chapter as soon as two was posted…that's how excited I was! I give thanks to those of you who continue to read "I Promise," and even favorite the story! It's such a great honor to know that there's another person out there who enjoys what I've been posting, and for that I'm very grateful!

In this chapter we explore Christmas! The cliché situation of, "what do I get him/her?" I'm going to try my best to not make this something we've all read several different times in several different mangas or stories, so please bare with me!

-Scalette.

Hatsumi stared at the calendar, her eyes intensely focused on the number22.

Three days was all she had left to think of a present, buy it and work up the courage to give it to Shinogu. If Christmas itself even counted as a day of preparation…It didn't. She had to have the present by then, that left her with only two days. "Oh my god, how could I let this HAPPEN!?" Hatsumi wailed, still burning her gaze into the calenderer. "What do I do?!"

"Ohmigosh Hatsumi, shut your mouth already!" Akane, Hatsumi's much cuter and younger sister, came out of her room an annoyed look on her face. "You've been standing in the hallway all morning groaning about Christmas presents. You know for as long as you've been standing there, ya could have been out shopping."

Hatsumi looked as if she was about to cry, Akane was right. She stared at the calendar all morning long, wallowing in herself pity, "Akane, what do I do!?" she asked desperately.

"Go shopping, duh." Akane answered matter of factly.

"I know that!" Hatsumi shot back. "But, but, but I don't know what to buy…!"

"Hellooooo! Earth to Hatsumi! The family gave you a Christmas list, all you have to do is buy what's on the list."

"That isn't it!" Hatsumi cried out. Shopping for her family was simple, she knew them well enough, and was confident that no matter what she got for any family member they would have been appreciative. She was worried about something, or someone, entirely different. "I don't know," she hesitated, a pathetic look on her face, "I don't know what to get Shinogu for Christmas."

Akane lifted an eyebrow in interest, a mischievous smirk on her face. "Oh?" she said with a small chirp. She had been fully aware of the romantic relationship her older sister had, with her once pervious brother.

After Shinogu had been released from the hospital, he paid a formal visit to the family stating that he would be officially dissolving his adoption into the Narita family. The process would take time, and he would still have the Narita name for several more months, but he would eventually be legally known as Shioyona Shinogu. At this news Hatsumi felt her heart both ache with sadness and excitement. It was during this visit; the entire family gathered around the table, that the other's members began to piece the situation together. Their mother had already been aware of Shinogu's feelings for their eldest daughter, and approved of the relationship without any second thoughts. Father, on the other hand, had to take several moments before he could even say anything.

"Well, it works out for the best," Father mumbled, "I trust Shinogu, love him as my own, and I suppose I wouldn't have it any other way. He's the only one capable of taking care of Hatsumi."

Akane only hummed at the news, the usual impish grin on her face. "Oh yeah, totally makes sense now!"

"Akane, just don't sit there and make fun of me." Hatsumi fumed. "I don't know what to get Shinogu!" Ever after a decade of celebrating such events with Shinogu many would think Hatsumi would have had his gift shopping down to an art, but even before the romantic escapades, she always had difficulty finding a present for Shinogu. She sighed out loud again, and now things were even more complicated. Hatsumi always wanted to get something nice for Shinogu around the holidays, but now she wanted to get something positively special.

"I dunno Hatsumi," Akane told her, "I always got Shinogu a tie for Christmas."

"Akane!" Hatsumi retorted. She was hoping her sister would be more helpful than this.

"What?!"

"What would you get for Subaru for a gift?" Hatsumi asked.

Akane shrugged, "Subaru is probably the easiest boyfriend to shop for. I'd get him a Gundam model of some sort."

Hatsumi made a face; she definitely wouldn't be buying Shinogu a Gundam. But she envied Akane just a bit, her boyfriend had interests that were easy to purchase. "But what would get Subaru as a girlfriend? Something special."

"A gundam." The younger sister replied point blank. Hatsumi let her draw drop, was Akane being serious? Did her younger sister not understand what she was asking? "Ohmigod Hatsumi! I was joking. I know what you meant," Akane said. She waved her hand lazily in the air, as if she was swatting away Hatsumi's stupidity. "I'm baking for Subaru this year. He's complained once that I don't pack a bento for him, so I think he'll like the idea that I've cooked for him."

Hatsumi smiled. "That's go great Akane!"

"Yeah, yeah." Akane replied with a small blush. "But that doesn't help you much; you've cooked for Shinogu before."

The elder sister bit her lip, Akane was right. Hatsumi was back to square one again.

"I think you should do something out of character for Shinogu," Akane said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm cooking for Subaru!" Akane mentioned again. "And I don't cook often; you see what I'm saying?" Hatsumi did understand this concept. She pondered thoughtfully for a moment, but looked at her younger sister again, the defeated look on her face. Akane sighed out loud, "You owe me big for this, ya know? You're super sweet Hatsumi! Like, way too innocent. Have you kissed Shinogu?"

Hatsumi nodded. "Yes."

"Have you made out with him?"

Hatsumi shook her head fervently.

"Really?" Akane was mildly shocked at this. "Well, there's your answer! Do something sexy for him!"

"S-s-s-sexy?" Hatsumi repeated a look of disbelief on her face. "Sexy like how!?"

Akane giggled. "I'm not telling you to sleep with him…yet…but that would probably be a good present in itself. Anyway, at least give him a good show." She winked and showed Hatsumi's her bra strap. "If you get my drift!"

"Are you telling me to m-m-m-mo-" Hatsumi couldn't get the rest of the sentence out of her mouth, she was embarrassed just thinking about what Akane was suggesting.

"Model lingerie for Shinogu? Hell yeah, that's what I'm telling you to do."Akane finished for her sister. She laughed, a small devil on her shoulder, and went back to her room; leaving Hatsumi to stare at the calendar once again.

The store was brightly lit, traffic of people coming in and out of the doors their purchases in bag. Hatsumi swallowed, she knew she shouldn't have been nervous; it wasn't like she was pervert. She eyed the flocks of men also coming in and out of the store, they seemed less embarrassed about the fact that they were going into a lingerie establishment then Hatsumi was, and she was a girl she was suppose to wear things of the sort. She took a breath and took the step into the store.

"Welcome!" A girl, a little older then Hatsumi, said with a smile.

"Ah, hi." Hatsumi replied with a small voice.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" The store employee asked.

"No, no, just looking."

"Well, if you have any question or would like to try anything on please let me know! I'll have to open the dressing rooms for you."

Hatsumi only nodded and wandered into the store. She had never been in this specific retailer, usually she would just go to a department store to buy her under garments, but had never set foot in lingerie specialty store. The bras and panties were clearly made out of better material, cut in exotic and provocative colors and shapes, and there was more to lingerie then just your average under wear. Racy night gowns in various patterns and colors, long and short, sheer or solid, lacey or silky, were spread across the space. Dare Hatsumi say it, she felt sexier just looking at the selection.

She touched one night gown made out of silk and looked at the delicate detailing of lace around the neck. It was cute, and judging by the length it would hit above her knee but not expose upper thighs. It was actually a modest length compared to how short some of the girls at school wore their skirts. Hatsumi studied another night gown next to the one she was looking at, but this one was sheer. She put her hand underneath the first layer, and blushed, her hand she saw clear as day under the material. Are you supposed to wear something under this? Or just be butt naked?! Hatsumi thought to herself.

"You could wear your bra and panties under that," a voice came from behind Hatsumi. She jumped slightly, finding that it was employee who greeted her earlier. "Did you need some help; you look like a deer caught in the head lights."

Hatsumi scratched her head, clearly in a tizzy. "Honestly, I've never purchased anything like this before." She said earnestly.

"I get a lot of girls like that," the employee said with a smile. "I'm assuming you have a boyfriend?"

Hatsumi nodded.

"Yeah, a lot of girls come in for this kind of thing, just never know where to start. Did you have anything in mind?"

"No," Hatsumi mumbled. "I mean, it was just an idea. I don't even know where to start. Do I show him something like this?" she pointed at the silk night gown. "Or this?" the sheepishly lifted a finger at the see through tid bit. "Or do I just parade around in a new matching bra and panty set?"

"Depends on your boyfriend," the employee informed Hatsumi. "Some guys like the skimpy seductress, other prefer the classy enchantress. What kind of guy is he?"

Hatsumi paused for a spell, thinking of the best way to describe Shinogu. "He's very kind, and nurturing, and patient, oh is he patient…" She smiled, "He quite honest, smart, and hard working! He worries about others before he worries about himself."

The employee smiled. "Sounds like a genuine knight in shining armor. You got a picture?" Even though Hatsumi accurately described Shinogu, it told the clerk nothing about his sexual preferences. She requested a picture of the boyfriend to get a feel for him, the employee was trained to look a man and be able to tell his sexual preferences. From what she gathered, the girlfriend was still very innocent herself; she doubted that they had sex by now. The man was patient; the employee thought inwardly, someone who won't touch a girl this cute knew a great amount of self restraint.

"Oh yeah sure," Hatsumi fished around in her purse, producing her cell phone. She flipped it open and handed it to the employee. Hatsumi opened up a picture that she snapped of Shinogu several weeks back, he had just come to meet her at the front of his university's entrance smiling in greeting. She took the photo on the fly, Shinogu was a bit thrown off that she took it and bargained with Hatsumi that if she was able to take pictures so was he. In return he captured an image of his girlfriend.

The employee studied the picture of Shinogu. He was a good looking man in his early twenties, delicate black hair, and soft looking eyes. He smiled warmly and with care, obviously it was directed at the person who took the picture (Hatsumi) he was genuinely in love with her. The employee had to study him for several more moments before she could even put Shinogu into any kind of sexual preference category. He was a man in love, the employee concluded, he wasn't the type for sex or its pleasures…he was the kind of man that made love, felt the emotional connection. His girlfriend could have been wrapped in towel or a sheet and he would have thought she was the most beautiful goddess in all the universes, it didn't matter what she was wearing.

But Hatsumi looked rather determined to find something to wear, wanted to purchase something. It was clear she was out to please her boyfriend, and just push her comfort zones a bit. The employee handed back the cell phone to Hatsumi and took a quick look at the inventory. "Something, elegant and classic," she said after a while. It didn't matter what she put Hatsumi in, the employee could tell that her boyfriend would appreciate the effort his girlfriend was making, what mattered was finding something the customer herself, Hatsumi, would look best in and be the most comfortable with.

The employee reached for a black silk night gown. It had a low cut in the back, a deep V cut in the front, and temptingly thin straps to hold the piece up on Hatsumi's delicate shoulders. There was a lace trim at the bottom, and the length hit just at the top of her knees. The employee also picked up a matching silk robe and a risqué pair of lace panties. She held the trio of pieces together for Hatsumi to examine. "Wear the panties with the nightgown, and the robe over. No bra, got it? The night gown's front cut is quite low and wearing a bra would throw off the look."

Hatsumi nodded, still looking at the lingerie expertly chosen for her.

"You don't like it?" the employee asked.

Hatsumi shook her head, "Oh no, I have no issues with it." She said with a smile. Hatsumi wouldn't admit it out loud, but she rather liked what the employee picked out for her. It was sexy but didn't scream whore. She would feel decently comfortable wearing it, but showing it to Shinogu would be a feat of its own. "Ill take it!"

"Ill ring you up at the register, but may I say something?"

"Huh?" Hatsumi asked.

"In all honesty miss, I think something more sentimental would be appropriate for your boyfriend." The employee said with a smile.

Hatsumi stepped out of the store, a pretty opaque bag in hand. Her purchases were delicately wrapped in thin papers to prevent others from peeking down and looking at what she bought. Letting out a breath of relief, Hatsumi smiled. "I did it!" she said to herself, "But that took a good chunk of my money…" She opened up her wallet and counted the bills, she had spent close to 1,000 yen on her new lingerie. It didn't matter a whole much though, she still had plenty left over to buy everyone else in the family their presents. In the past couple of weeks Hatsumi took on her part time job at the café she was previously worked at with Shinogu and Asahi. Occasionally she would work with Shinogu, but he had other jobs that he had to hold down elsewhere. He was particularly busy in the past weeks; all his jobs were giving him extra hours for him to work because the amount of business the holidays brought in.

"I wonder if he's made plans." Hatsumi thought to herself. "Better ask him, I need at least five minutes of his time to…" she paused and looked at the bag of purchases. She hadn't really thought about it just went out determined to buy lingerie. She would actually have to model the nightgown for Shinogu at some point in time; she couldn't simply wrap it up and hand it to him. How awkward would that be? Hand in a set of lingerie she was suppose to wear for him. Hatsumi made a face, she gathered all her courage to just purchase the set, now she had to borrow more courage, probably from her next life, to put it on and show Shinogu. But it HAS to be done! Hatsumi coached herself in her head. I've come this far, it's no time to quit!

She dug out her cell phone from her purse once more and dialed Shinogu's number. Hatsumi wasn't quite sure where he was today, she knew that he had an early morning class but that had ended hours ago. She hoped she wasn't disturbing his work. The phone rang for a second or two, "Hello?" Shinogu's voice echoed into her ear.

"Shinogu?" Hatsumi began. "You busy? Can we talk for a moment?"

"Of course. What's going on?" He asked.

The phone seemed to vibrate back Shinogu's words a million times, usually that meant the device that was called was somewhere in close proximity, but Hatsumi didn't want to assume that. "Not a lot, say, where you at? I'm having a hard time understanding you."

"Out shopping," he replied, the phone multiplying the answer a dozen times more. "I'm at the—"

Hatsumi couldn't understand a word he said after that, the echoing had become so severe that she had to detach her phone from her ear. She looked around; maybe they were just having bad reception. But this was Japan, it was a city in Japan, bad reception was a thing of the Stone Age. And as if the seas of people parted specifically for her, she found him. Shinogu had his back turned, a hand covering one ear so he could hear the phone call better, and his cell phone on the other. She smiled, closed her phone, and bounded towards him.

Shinogu wasn't aware that Hatsumi was close by; when the phone call had been disconnected he attempted to call her again. Her phone rang for several seconds. "Shinogu?" the voice came. He was slightly confused, the phone hadn't connected yet. "Hey, Shinogu, behind you." He turned around and saw Hatsumi. "Hey there!" she raised a hand in greeting.

"Hey." He said with a grin. He closed the gap between them and placed a small peck on her cheek. "I didn't know you were here."

"Now you do!" Hatsumi replied. She had grown comfortable in the past month to reach out for Shinogu's hand and hold it in the open. Her tiny fingers weave in and out of his own, the palm of her hand resting against his. "I wanted to know if you had plans for the 25th? Are you working?"

"By some miracle I'm not," Shinogu replied. In reality, he had pulled strings at the slew of jobs he held to get the day off. He covered many co-workers shifts in the past, and he called in the favors that were owed to him. They all gladly obliged, it was a rare event for Shinogu to ask for time off, and even his high ups let him take the day off. "Why?"

"You have the entire day off?" Hatsumi answered his question, with her own.

"Yeah."

"That's great!" she beamed. "I wanted to know if you…" she fumbled with her words. Shinogu knew what she was going to ask, but wanted to hear it from her. "I mean, did you want to spend Christmas with me? I'm not doing anything either so I just thought."

"Don't want to spend it with the family?" he returned. "I can go home for the day you know." He knew how much family meant to Hatsumi, and he wouldn't mind seeing everybody else either.

"If you want to." Hatsumi mumbled. "But I would also like to spend some…alone time with you."

Shinogu smiled, caressed her face gently. "I would love that."

Shinogu pulled on his jeans, yawning as he did so. The morning was chilly and grey, "Not exactly what you would picture for a holiday." He said out loud.

There was a knock at his door, "Yo, Shinogu." Kazama, his room hate called out. "I'm not going to be home tonight, have a couple of parties to skip around to." He opened Shinogu's door and leaned in the frame. "You sure you don't want to come? Bring Hatsumi, I don't mind. She's a pretty little thing anyway, be good for you to show her off."

"Cut the crap Kazama," Shinogu snarled. Hatsumi wasn't a piece of property for him to "show off." She was her own person, and the last thing Shinogu wanted to do was be so domineering like that asshole Ryoki she dated last year.

"Hey man, didn't mean to strike a nerve. I'm just saying, if you wanna come out with Hatsumi it's cool, everyone wants to meet the girl that finally snagged the 'unattainable Shinogu,' She's a great girl, she'll get along with everyone." Kazama was a good friend, he knew the situation Shinogu and Hatsumi faced. He wasn't weired out by the fact that a brother loved his sister, didn't brand Shinogu as some kind of freak, he supported Shinogu.

"Dude, you're adopted. It's not like you're biologically related; now that would be disgusting." Shinogu recalled Kazama telling him that once. "Do what you want, do what's going to make you happy."

"Thanks for the offer Kazama, but I think Hatsumi and I will spend time with the folks, have a quiet evening together." Shinogu replied.

"Whatever floats your boat buddy. But everyone does want to meet her, just keep that in mind." Kazama turned on his heel and began to leave, but then suddenly stopped a rather large smirk on his face. "Oh yeah, you buy your own condoms man, I'm out."

Shinogu sat there dumbfounded for moment after Kazama left. Would he really need to buy condoms? He shook his head, no of course not. Hatsumi still blushed, as he did, when they kissed- were they really ready to take it to that extent? They had lived together for a brief period of time the previous year, and nothing of the sort had ever crossed his mind. But this time is different, Shingo began to argue with himself, this time you're allowed to touch her. Things had changed, they were dating, and it only made sense to eventually come to the conclusion of sex…But was Hatsumi was ready? He doubted it, but as of late she had been surprising him with her sudden change of behavior. She was adjusting, and quickly, to the idea of Shinogu being her boyfriend…and quite possibly in the near future, her lover. Shingo stood there, shirt in hand, pondering if Hatsumi would be willing to go that far?

Shinogu sighed, "Better safe than sorry." He finished dressing and went down to the nearest convenience store. He wouldn't tell Hatsumi that be bought condoms, just have them tucked away in the drawer of his bed stand, there for when the time was right.

"Merry Christmas!" Their mother called out, passing out presents to each of her children, including Shinogu- he was still her son, no matter his last name or who gave birth to him.

"Thanks mom," the children said together, accepting their gifts.

Hikaru, the youngest of the sibling tore at his wrapping viciously, a clownish huge smile on his face. He couldn't manage to tear away at the corner of his wrapping; Hatsumi leaned in to help him, her younger brother sitting in her lap. Shinogu stood on the opposite side of them and watched, observing Hatsumi tenderly care for the youngest. Shinogu grinned, lost in his own thoughts.

"Shinogu?" His mother handed him another wrapped present.

"Mom," he started. "One is enough."

"I don't want to hear it." His mother retorted. "It's a present, take it."

There was no use in arguing with his adoptive mother, when she wanted something done or was intent on helping somebody there really wasn't any stopping her. Shinogu took the gift with an appreciative nod, and began unwrapping it. Past all the wrapping laid a brilliant watch, silver banded, black faced, and three ticking hands. He looked up at this mother, unable to speak. He knew it was expensive, and he didn't deserve such an extravagant gift.

"Your father and I thought it would be good to get you a watch, mark of a man." Mom said, striking a body builder's pose. "And before you even begin to worry, we all pitched it." She gestured to rest of the family. "Akane and Hatsumi specially chose this one for you."

"It's pretty good looking, right?" Akane asked. "There's something totally sexy about it. Probably why Hatsumi was the first one to notice it."

"Akane!" Hatsumi cried out. "Quit it!"

"Whatever!" Akane chirped. She stood from where she was sitting, "I gotta get going anyway!"

"Where you off to?" mother asked.

"Have to give Subaru his present sometime today." Akane shot past the rest of the family, and headed for the hallway to put her shoes and jacket on.

Sensing that this would be the best time to also part from the family, in Akane's wake, Shinogu stood and eyed Hatsumi. "We'll be going as well." He leaned over to his mother and hugged tightly. "Thank you." Was all he could manage to say.

Hatsumi stood, plopping Hikaru in her father's lap. "Give me a second Shinogu." She vanished into her room and came back. She was wrapped in a warmer jacket, a scarf tied around her neck, and bundle of presents tucked underneath her arm. She kissed Hikaru on the cheek, then dad, and mom. "Ill be home later tonight! I have to give these out today too."

"Don't lie Hatsumi!" Akane yelled from the hallway, "You're going on a date with Shinogu!" and the door slammed, indicating that she had already left.

There was an awkward silence between everyone.

"Well! It's to be suspected!" Mother cried out cheerily. "You two have fun and be safe!" She shooed them to the hallway. "Don't worry about dad," she said, it was more directed to Shinogu then Hatsumi. "He's not upset, it's just hard for him to let go of his precious first daughter. Now, have fun and behave yourselves!" She kissed both Shinogu and Hatsumi, and took a step back to look at them together. They suit each other, mom thought to herself, and let them alone.

Hatsumi looked at Shinogu, and only chuckled, not sure what else to do. It was a strange situation, but comical at the same time. "We've got a weird family."

Shinogu closed the door behind Hatsumi, turning on the light to the apartment. "I really don't have much planned for us," he informed her. "If you rather go out, that's fine. I'm sure we can find plenty to do. "

Hatsumi shook her head and held Shinogu's hand, looking at him with a soft, content smile. "No, this is enough."

Shinogu returned her smile, and lead her into the living room. "Want me to cook? You didn't eat at home." Hatsumi's stomach seemed to growl on cue, Shinogu let out a small amused snort. "Ill take that as a yes." He flipped on the TV and indicated for Hatsumi to sit on the couch, he wouldn't have a word of her helping with dinner tonight.

She sat patiently on the couch, listening to Shinogu move around in the kitchen, the sound of his cooking, the smells of the dinner he was preparing invading her nose. "Almost done!" He yelled from the kitchen

"Hey, Shinogu?" Hatsumi called.

"No." was his instant reply. "You're not helping with dinner."

She laughed. "That isn't it," she learned not to argue with Shinogu when he wanted to do something on his own, "can I use your bathroom?"

He was still in the kitchen; she could hear him plating things. A moment later, he appeared in the dining room a plate of food in his hands. "Yeah, that's fine. I should have dinner set when you get out." He went back into the kitchen to plate the remaining food.

Hatsumi stood from the couch. Got to do it now! She thought to herself. She picked up a wrapped box and with hurry raced down the hall into the bathroom. Hatsumi had been nervous all night, walking to Shinogu's her mind raced with ways to throw on the lingerie she bought. "What a stupid idea to wrap it." She was undressing herself in a hurry, neatly throwing her clothes into a corner of the bathroom. "What was I think? Hand him the package?" She unwrapped the gift and began to take out the lingerie bit by bit. "Here you go Shinogu! Merry Christmas! Here's my present to you! I'm supposed to be wearing it though." Hatsumi mimicked her stupidity out loud.

She finished putting on the lingerie and examined herself in the bathroom mirror. Hatsumi blushed at her reflection. She did as the employee of the store instructed her to do; she put on the panties and the night gown, no bra. The thin strings holding the garment to Hatsumi's body had to be adjusted so they wouldn't fall off her shoulders. "Not bad…" she said lowly. But it didn't matter what she thought, it mattered what Shinogu thought. She took the robe and wore it over the nightgown; Hatsumi tied the sash around her waist firmly. Taking a deep breath, Hatsumi opened the bathroom door and as quietly as possible she walked down the hall.

Poking her head around the corner, she could see Shinogu sitting at the table; he also caught sight of her. "Hey, dinner's done." He gestured of her to sit.

Hatsumi stayed behind the corner, her head only visible. She twiddled with her thumbs, nervous beyond her wits. You can do it, you can do it, you can do it, Hatsumi chanted in her head. "Ah, I was wondering if I could give you your Christmas present?" she asked hesitantly.

"You want to exchange gifts now?" Shinogu stood from the table and started to cross the living room. "We can do that; let me get it out of my room." He was dangerously close to the corner where Hatsumi was hiding a majority of herself.

"Shinogu wait!" Hatsumi said louder than necessary.

That made him stop in his tracks, he looked at her with concern. "Hatsumi? What's the matter?"

"N-no-nothing." She stuttered. "It's just that I'm nervous."

"About what?" he took another step towards her.

"W-wait!" Hatsumi said. She took a deep breath, gathering up whatever courage she could, and took the fateful steps away from the corner where she was hiding. S

She stood vulnerably in front of Shinogu, her face scarlet. The silky black robe was still tied shutting away the lingerie beneath. Hatsumi fumbled with the neat ribbon she had tied in the front, slowly opening the front of her robe. She didn't watch Shinogu's reaction, she was too jittery to look him in the eye, and focused hard on undoing her robe.

Shinogu though stood there rendered speechless. His heart stopped for several second in disbelief, and then raced with an untold excitement, and then stopped with disbelief, and then raced with untold excitement, repeating this pattern over and over again as he watched Hatsumi undo the front of her robe. He felt as if he would pass out from the pressure of blood surging into his head, heart, and nether regions all at once. Was this really happening? Was she really wearing-?

"Merry Christmas Shinogu," Hatsumi said, and her robe dropped to the ground exposing her lingerie.

Silence.

He said nothing.

She said nothing, but only looked at him distressed. Did he even like it? Was it the wrong thing to do?

He still said nothing.

What seemed like an eternity, Hatsumi let out a distraught laugh, breaking the thick silence between them. He hated it. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Hatsumi yelled at herself mentally. "I'm sorry Shinogu, this was obviously a bad idea. " Hatsumi's voice cracked. What was she thinking? Modeling lingerie for him? She obviously wasn't pretty enough for that. "I-I th-think I'll just go get changed and go h-home." She turned away from Shinogu ready run as if it was for her life.

He moved faster than she did.

Shinogu grabbed hold of her wrist, and with his other hand her command fully pinned Hatsumi's shoulder to the wall. They locked eyes with each other, Hatsumi on the verge of near tears. He didn't say anything when he saw the lingerie on her, he was too busy trying to contain himself, busy trying to restrain the sexual beast that wanted to ravage Hatsumi on the spot.

"You're beautiful," Shinogu whispered into her ear. "Don't change, don't go. Stay here with me." He looked at her, examining her up and down. The lingerie was masterfully cut, but Hatsumi was what made it unbearably ravishing. The garb hugged her slender body, exposing every curve that she had developed in the past years, every curve that he imagined touching. Her skin was flawlessly smooth, her scent lingering in all of Shinogu's senses. "You're so damn gorgeous Hatsumi."

His voice was low and husky, Hatsumi fell limp with desire listening to him speak, listening to him compliment her. So she wasn't horrendous looking, she felt her heart leap with relief but a second later she was filled with an excited nervousness. Shinogu was pressed against her, not an inch of her body wasn't touched by his, she was completely covered by him. Their breaths mingled together, their body heats colliding in one big explosion.

Shinogu pressed his lips hard against Hatsumi's, his hunger for her apparent every second that ticked away. Usually, a self restraining Shinogu would wait for Hatsumi to initiate the kiss; he had never once advanced on her. She had always sprung the kisses on him, at her own pace, at her own comfort level, and it never bothered Shinogu. But tonight, he didn't know how much of his sanity he could keep, didn't know how he could contain the desires. He kissed her passionately, his lips smothering hers, parting them, breathing into her mouth. Hatsumi responded, pushed her lips onto his, showing the same ferocity of eagerness. Shinogu slipped his tongue past her lips, into her mouth. Hatsumi froze for a second with shock, feeling his tongue slid against her own, but she relaxed again and let the kiss continue. Shinogu felt her responses and with solace kept kissing her. Their tongues slid past one another, against each other, twirled and danced in a way that Hatsumi thought wasn't possible for a kiss.

She needed air, she didn't know how long they had been kissing, devouring each other's lips and oxygen supply, and she didn't want to detach herself from the feel of Shinogu's lips. But she had to, it was essential to breathe if she wanted to keep living, if she wanted to live a long life standing next to Shinogu's side. Hatsumi broke the kiss, taking in a deep breath of air, oxygen filling her nose and lungs. Just a few seconds to breathe, just a few seconds to refill her system to continue on the path of bliss she was on. Shinogu had his mouth back on hers, as if reading her thoughts, knowing that it was okay to be back into their throws of passion, that her microscopic break was finished. Hatsumi returned his kiss, continued to feed Shinogu's frenzied hunger.

He let a hand travel up her leg, her side, touching her delicate skin, feeling the softness. Hatsumi moaned or gasped- she wasn't quite sure herself- into Shinogu's mouth. The way Shinogu touched her sent her senses into a chaotic bliss. Her sound fueled him even more, letting him know that what he was doing was okay, that he was allowed to touch her in this manner. He found the approval that he sought so desperately. His touch lingered up her side, past her hip, past her waist, her rib cage, and rested on her neck. Shinogu broke the kiss this time, his lips trailed down her cheek, her chin, and stopped at her neck. He nibbled on her flesh, tasting her, savoring her. Hatsumi leaned on him for support, she felt as if she was going to collapse from the intense lust controlling her body, it nearly frightened her.

Shinogu kissed her neck softly and looked up at her. Hatsumi was flushed, her breathing deep, and she looked at him with a gaze that he had never seen before. It was a mixture of desire, yearning, for Shinogu to take her, make Hatsumi his, but there was a hint of fear in her eyes, a hint of anxiety. Shinogu softened his gaze, and kissed her forehead. He was going to stop it here, Hatsumi wasn't ready yet.

"Sh-Shinogu?" She questioned. Had she done something wrong?

He rested his chin on top of her head and didn't say anything for a while. "I think its best we stop her Hatsumi, I don't want to push you or scare you away."

Hatsumi was confused, but yet she understood. As much as she desired Shinogu physically at this moment, she wasn't mentally prepared to sleep with him. She sighed a small sigh, Shinogu understood her so well. She had no intentions of taking it this far, but she did have to keep in mind that lingerie really was made for sex. She made a mistake in buying it, made a further mistake in putting it on and showing Shinogu.

"When you're ready," he continued, "We have all the time in the world, nobody is rushing you. I'm satisfied with kisses and dates." He said with a smirk "But, this was a nice surprise. Thank you Hatsumi." Shinogu kissed her forehead again, and he kindly led her away from the wall he had her pinned down to and to the living room again. There was a blanket on the couch, and he covered Hatsumi in it. "Hold on, let me get your present."

Shinogu went to his room, and when he knew he was clear of Hatsumi, he took in a deep ragged breath. He almost lost it, almost lost his cool and self restraint. But how could anybody blame him? She was divinely clad in lingerie. It wasn't even the lingerie that pushed Shinogu over the edge, if Hatsumi simply came up to him in a rag with similar intention he would have done the same thing. It was the fact that Hatsumi displayed a sexual urge that drove Shinogu insane.

He looked over to his night stand and shook his head. "Another time," he told himself. For now he was satisfied with the events that just occurred. He had shared extremely passionate moment with Hatsumi, and she didn't turn him away. That was on hell of a homerun, Shinogu assured himself. He was doing well.

He returned to Hatsumi a minute later, a small neatly wrapped package in his grasp. Sitting next to Hatsumi, he handed it to her. "Merry Christmas, Hatsumi."

She took it and held onto it for a moment. "Thank you Shinogu!" She was afraid it was another piece of expensive jewelry. She felt guilty just looking at the package. "I got you something too." She reached over to her other side and handed him a rather large, a rather heavy, present.

"Hatsumi," Shinogu said with a tone of disapproving. "You've already given me enough. The watch, the—" dare he say lingerie? He didn't, he just looked at her, and Hatsumi knew what he meant.

"The watch is from the entire family," Hatsumi corrected him. "And well, the lingerie didn't exactly work out either." She said with a giggle.

"I'd hardly say that." He replied.

"But I wanted to give you something special, something that was from me, something that was sentimental." She leaned in closer to Shinogu. "Open it!"

He did what he was told; Shinogu opened the wrapping, careful not to tear it. In his lap laid a thick book, a photo album to be more precise. He flipped through the pages and all he saw was pictures of him and Hatsumi through the years: the playground together, celebrating each other birthdays, at festivals dressed in tradition garb, at his high school graduation, random photos of both Hatsumi and Shinogu by themselves doing random things. The last picture was of the both of them coming home after Shinogu's release from the hospital; Kazama had snapped the candid photo. The pair stood side by side, looking at each other, a warm and tender glow surrounding them.

"You like it?" Hatsumi piqued.

"Hatsumi, this is perfect. Thank you." He too leaned in closer to Hatsumi and kissed her. After their desire filled encounter Shinogu thought it was okay for him to kiss her whenever he pleased. Hatsumi would never have told him no to begin with.

"I'm glad!" she replied after Shinogu kissed her.

"Open yours." He told her, nodding at the gift she still held.

"Oh yeah!" She gingerly tore away the wrapping, and to her delight it wasn't jewelry. Instead it was a simply box, and in that box was a key. She held it up to examine it.

"It's my spare key," Shinogu explained. "So you can come by whenever you like. It would make it easier for when you visit me after my classes too. You can just wait here, instead of having to walk all the way to campus and walk back with me."

Hatsumi beamed widely, she had Shinogu's apartment key. He was giving her 24 access to his life, to his home; it was quite the gift indeed. "Shinogu!" she cried out happily, pouncing on top of him. "This is great! Thank you so much! Ill be sure not to intrude often, only every once and a while, I won't be a bother!" she fired off rapidly.

"Hey, slow down," he was laughing. "You can come by whenever you want, at any hour on any day. If you can just do me a favor and come by often, maybe even on a daily basis, I think we'll be good."

"Yes, yes!" was all she could manage to reply. "I promise!"

Shinogu didn't know what else to say, so he did the most natural thing to him: he held Hatsumi close bundled in her blanket, covered in his love. She sighed contently and rested against him. Was there any other kind of joy, happiness, that he could possibly feel? He finally had the girl that he loved, she loved him back, and they were travelling down the road of life together. For once Shinogu wasn't afraid of running out of happiness, wasn't afraid that tomorrow he would wake up and Hatsumi wasn't there anymore. He was aware that his happiness knew no limits, it had no limits. There were no limitations with the happiness that he felt with Hatsumi, the happiness that Hatsumi gave to him.

"Shinogu," Hatsumi said after a while.

He stroked her hair, "Hm?"

"I love you." she told him.

No, his happiness had no limits; it would always be an endless supply if Hatsumi was with him. "I love you too."

Chapter three! Done! Can I just say, this so far, is my favorite chapter that I've written!?

*squee*

I immensely enjoyed writing this chapter; it gave me SUCH PLEASURE to throw in a bit of spice and sexiness that this couple was LONG overdue for! To say the least, I think I write all the risqué parts pretty well! But the best part was being able to write down all the fluff and romance, it was just an awesome experience.

Concerning this chapter, I know it's rather long and I probably could have broken this down into separate chapters, but I felt it would have lost the impact I was looking for when writing this. So I'm glad that you were all able to bear with the long winded-ness and finish this chapter! I really hope that you all enjoyed it, and will continue to read this story! Now that the relationship has picked up and is going in a direction we all wanted, it should make for a much more interesting read!

In the next chapter we'll visit Hatsumi at school, and the anxieties of her senior year coming to an end. She forced to look at her future's options, and where and what she'll do after graduation. Also! The couple discusses their anniversary date- exactly how long have they been dating, how long have they been official? When's their anniversary? We'll see Hatsumi use Shinogu's spare key for the first time, and to appease the smut in all of us, Ill even throw in several "hot and heavy," scenes!

…I love the hot and heavy stuff. God, I'm such a pervert! Haha.

So please look forward to the next chapter and showing your support, it's greatly appreciated!

-Scarlette.

"It will clear up one day. No rain, no rainbow." –Home Made Kazoku.